Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor Takes Senior Deputy Majority Leader Role
In a significant development at the House of Representatives, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor has been appointed Senior Deputy Majority Leader. This appointment came shortly after the House elected its new Speaker and officials this week, highlighting a key leadership shift among lawmakers.
During the Tuesday session, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, the current Majority Leader, formally moved to elect Defensor to this important position. The motion passed without objection, as House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who presided over the session, approved the nomination. Notably, the Senior Deputy Majority Leader post was formerly held by Marcos himself during the 19th Congress.
Deputy and Assistant Majority Leaders Supporting Leadership
Marcos and Defensor will be supported by a large team of Deputy Majority Leaders and Assistant Majority Leaders. The group comprises 43 officials from various districts and party-lists, reflecting a broad representation of the House’s membership.
Deputy Majority Leaders include:
- Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda
- Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas
- Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong
- Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas
- Cotabato Rep. Alana Samantha Santos
- Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr.
- Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Jeyzel Victoria Yu
- Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan Panaligan
- Pampanga Rep. Alyssa Michaela Gonzales
- Sorsogon Rep. Marie Bernadette Escudero
- Capiz Rep. Ivan Howard Guintu
- Sorsogon Rep. Wowo Fortes
- Palawan Rep. Gil Acosta Jr.
- Cavite Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula
- Leyte Rep. Anna Veloso-Tuazon
- Cavite Rep. Crispin Diego Remulla
- Camarines Sur Rep. Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte
- TGP party-list Rep. Jose Teves
- Kapuso PM party-list Rep. Munir Arbison Jr.
- 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez
Assistant Majority Leaders include:
- Maguindanao del Norte Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura
- Cebu Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas
- Zamboanga Del Norte Rep. Roberto Uy Jr.
- Bulacan Rep. Agatha Paula Cruz
- Davao del Norte Rep. De Carlo Uy
- Davao de Oro Rep. Leonel Ceniza
- Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson
- Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos
- Batangas Rep. Leandro Collantes
- Cebu Rep. Patricia Calderon
- Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos Atayde
- Mandaluyong Rep. Alexandria Gonzales
- Bohol Rep. John Geesnell Yap II
- Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga
- Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu
- Sultan Kudarat Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing
- Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez
- Zamboanga Rep. Katrina Reiko Chua-Tai
- Taguig Rep. Jorge Daniel Bocobo
- Batangas Rep. Ryan Recto
- Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang Jr.
- FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list Rep. Brian Poe
- Trabaho party-list Rep. Johanne Monich Bautista
Commitment to Serve the People’s Interest
Many of these leaders have already expressed their dedication to advancing the public’s welfare through their roles. For instance, Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez shared his resolve on Facebook, saying, “My appointment as one of the Assistant Majority Leader of the 20th Congress is both a privilege and a responsibility that I accept with humility and firm resolve to serve with purpose. I feel truly honored and humbled to have been selected for this role.”
Benitez also emphasized teamwork, adding, “We are working together with the Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte (1st district) Rep. Sandro Marcos in ensuring the efficient and productive flow of legislative work in Congress.”
Other Key House Officials and Election Highlights
Before the selection of the Deputy and Assistant Majority Leaders, Speaker Romualdez administered the oath of office to new Deputy Speakers and Secretary General Reginald Velasco, along with Sergeant-at-Arms retired Police Major General Napoleon Taas. Furthermore, 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan was formally elected as the House Minority Leader, rounding out the leadership team for the current Congress.
These changes mark a fresh chapter in the House’s leadership, aiming to promote a smooth and productive legislative process that benefits the Filipino people, local leaders noted.
For more news and updates on House leadership, visit Filipinokami.com.
